Tudela, 76 more brgys in Central Visayas now drug-cleared

The Regional Oversight Committee on Barangay Drug Clearing (ROCBDC)-Central Visayas has declared 76 more barangays in the region as drug-cleared. | PDEA-7 Photo

CEBU CITY, Philippines – Tudela town in Cebu province was the most recent locality to be given a drug-cleared status by the Regional Oversight Committee on Barangay Drug Clearing (ROCBDC).

The 5th class municipality was the 9th locality in the region to have earned said status, based on the outcome of the deliberations of ROCBDC members held from April 11 to 12, 2024.

In addition, 76 more brgys. in Central Visayas have also been declared as drug-cleared.  Of these, 36 are in Cebu province, 30 are in Negros Oriental, four are in Bohol, while five are situated at the highly urbanized city of Mandaue, and one in Cebu City.

READ: PDEA-7: 34 more barangays in CV now drug-cleared

A “drug-cleared” status is given to localities or brgys. that were previously considered as drug-affected and have complied with the processes to validate their efforts in solving the illegal drugs problem in their respective areas.

Below is the list of the declared drug-cleared brgys. based on data from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency in Central Visayas (PDEA-7):

CEBU PROVINCE:

1. Bantigue, Bantayan
2. Ticad, Bantayan
3. Campanga, Barili
4. Agbanga, Asturias
5. Magcalape, Asturias
6. Ubogon, Asturias
7. Manguiao, Asturias
8. Sta. Cruz-Sto. Niño, Balamban
9. Barangay III (Poblacion), Tuburan
10. Montealegre, Tuburan
11. Sandayong, Tuburan
12. Sumon, Tuburan
13. Bulongan, Toledo City
14. Bunga, Toledo City
15. Carmen, Toledo City
16. Dumlog, Toledo City
17. Tubod, Toledo City
18. Santo Niño, Toledo City
19. Tubod-Bitoon, Dumanjug
20. Bulak, Dumanjug
21. Sulsugan, Badian
22. Ginablan, Badian
23. San Roque, Talisay City
24. Camp 8, Minglanilla
25. Pitalo, San Fernando
26. Liburon Carcar City
27. Libo, Sibonga
28. Magcagong, Sibonga
29. Cantolaroy, Sibonga
30. Bactas, Catmon
31. Can-ibuang, Catmon
32. Oguis, Danao City
33. Cahumayan, Danao City
34. Cagat-lamac, Danao City
35. Canamucan, Compostela
36. Cagsing, Ginatilan

NEGROS ORIENTAL:

1. Capiñahan, Bais City
2. Lonoy, Bais City
3. Pulantubig, Dumaguete City
4. Bagtic, Mabinay
5. Tambojangin, Amlan
6. Malaiba, Canlaon
7. Humayhumay, Guihulngan
8. Binobohan, Guihulngan
9. Balayagmanok, Valencia
10. Calayugan, Valencia
11. Bongbong, Valencia
12. Cangharay, Jimalalud
13. Manogtong, Ayungon
14. Lipayo, Dauin
15. Nasig-id, Zamboanguita
16. Doldol, Bacong
17. Liptong, Bacong
18. Bulod, Bindoy
19. Manseje, Bindoy
20. Matobato, Bindoy
21. Tinaogan, Bindoy
22. Campuyo, Manjuyod
23. Dungo-an, Manjuyod
24. Libjo, Manjuyod
25. Maaslum, Manjuyod
26. Panciao, Manjuyod
27. Sac-sac, Manjuyod
28. Cabulotan, Tayasan
29. Guincalaban, Tayasan
30. Ilaya-Tayasan, Tayasan

BOHOL:

1. Bakilid, Dimiao
2. Cabagakian, Dimiao
3. Babag, Dagohoy
4. Can-oling, Dagohoy

CEBU CITY:

1. Tagbao

MANDAUE CITY:

1. Banilad
2. Cubacub
3. Guizo
4. Ibabao-Estancia
5. Labogon

Drug-cleared barangays

Leia Alcantara, the PDEA-7 spokesperson, said that as of April 2024, a total of 1,744 of the 3,003 barangays in the region have already been classified as drug-cleared.

READ: In Central Visayas, 87 more brgys, 1 town earn drug-cleared status

She said that this number will likely increase in the coming months as more local government units have expressed their intent to apply for a drug-cleared status.

Alcantara explained that during the deliberation process, ROCBDC members take into account the status of the drug clearing program of the applicants.

“Kaning barangay drug clearing program, mao gyud ni ang atong gi-follow when declaring drug-cleared barangays. This is based on DBB (Dangerous Drug Board) regulation number 4 series of 2021,” she said.

READ: What is a ‘drug-free’ or ‘drug-cleared’ barangay?

Active and functional BADAC

In order to achieve the status, LGUs must have an “activated and functional” Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Council (BADAC) and all drug personalities listed under the PNP PDEA-7 BADAC watchlist must be accounted for.

This means that the drug personalities have either received intervention, entered Balay Silangan, or were already arrested.

Alcantara added that this accomplishment debunks public speculations that the government’s anti-illegal drugs campaign has stopped.

“Dako kaayo ni og impact. Kami sa PDEA, especially kita diri sa PDEA Regional Office 7, basta naay ma-declare nga barangay as drug-cleared, malipay gyud ta. Because this is a manifestation that our LGUs, atong stakeholders, atong communities are aware of their function, their participation in the anti-illegal drugs campaign,” she said.